A new type of calixarene has been synthesised. Like resorcinol and a number of resorcinol derivatives, 2,6-dihydroxypyridine has been proven to form cyclic tetramers in moderate yields with a number of aliphatic and two aromatic aldehydes in acidic media. The problem of the formation of configurational isomers can be reduced by increasing the reaction temperature and time. With electron-rich aromatic aldehydes, 2,6-dihydroxypyridine unexpectedly yields deep-coloured acyclic quinoid systems. The octahydroxypyridine[4]arenes may have a high potential as receptors for molecular recognition and self organisation.